Japan\u27s High Technology Industries: Lessons and Limitations of Industrial Policy

A Review of Japan\u27s High Technology Industries: Lessons and Limitations of Industrial Policy edited by Hugh Patric

Idea, Process, or Protected Expression?: Determining the Scope of Copyright Protection of the Structure of Computer Programs

Courts considering the alleged copying of the structure, rather than literal copying of the text, of a computer program have usually concerned themselves with whether protected expression or an unprotected idea was copied. Courts have seldom suggested that it might be an unprotected process that was copied. However, this Note concludes that the legislative history of the 1976 Act indicates that that legislation\u27s drafters envisioned a far more prominent role for the process-expression dichotomy than it has played to date. The process inquiry is at least as important as the idea inquiry in striking the proper balance between promoting progress in the computer art, by granting incentives to create, and impairing progress, by limiting access to utilitarian innovations. This Note develops and describes complementary techniques for distinguishing both unprotected idea and unprotected process from protected expression within the context of computer program structure. Part I of this Note briefly introduces fundamental aspects of the computer art10 and relevant ·concepts of copyright law to provide a working background for the analysis that follows. Courts have sometimes appeared not to be fully aware of important elements of the computer art and the nature of progress in. that art; this lack of awareness has sometimes operated to the detriment of the goals of copyright law. Part II discusses the threshold question whether copyright protection of a computer program should ever extend beyond the literal instructions of that program to its structure. To determine the proper scope of protection, this Part examines the relevant case law, legislative history, and policy considerations and concludes that established copyright doctrines support some protection for the structures of computer programs. Part III proposes an approach for determining when the copyright in a computer program has been infringed by the copying of its structure and describes the use of this approach. within a conventional copyright infringement analysis. This approach differs from existing attempts to address the issue in two ways. First, it gives full effect to both the idea-expression and process-expression dichotomies. Second, it adheres more closely to traditional copyright doctrine than existing approaches. This Note\u27s approach seeks properly to balance the goal of promoting progress in the computer art by providing an incentive to create new programs with the fear of impairing progress in that art by allowing monopolization of ideas or processes

An optoacoustic field-programmable perceptron for recurrent neural networks

A critical feature in signal processing is the ability to interpret correlations in time series signals, such as speech. Machine learning systems process this contextual information by tracking internal states in recurrent neural networks (RNNs), but these can cause memory and processor bottlenecks in applications from edge devices to data centers, motivating research into new analog inference architectures. But whereas photonic accelerators, in particular, have demonstrated big leaps in uni-directional feedforward deep neural network (DNN) inference, the bi-directional architecture of RNNs presents a unique challenge: the need for a short-term memory that (i) programmably transforms optical waveforms with phase coherence , (ii) minimizes added noise, and (iii) enables programmable readily scales to large neuron counts. Here, we address this challenge by introducing an optoacoustic recurrent operator (OREO) that simultaneously meets (i,ii,iii). Specifically, we experimentally demonstrate an OREO that contextualizes and computes the information carried by a sequence of optical pulses via acoustic waves. We show that the acoustic waves act as a link between the different optical pulses, capturing the optical information and using it to manipulate the subsequent operations. Our approach can be controlled completely optically on a pulse-by-pulse basis, offering simple reconfigurability for a use case-specific optimization. We use this feature to demonstrate a recurrent drop-out, which excludes optical input pulses from the recurrent operation. We furthermore apply OREO as an acceptor to recognize up-to $27$ patterns in a sequence of optical pulses. Finally, we introduce a DNN architecture that uses the OREO as bi-directional perceptrons to enable new classes of DNNs in coherent optical signal processing

Overview of platooning systems

This paper presents an overview of current projects that deal with vehicle platooning. The platooning concept can be defined as a collection of vehicles that travel close together, actively coordinated in formation. Some expected advantages of platooning include increased fuel and traffic efficiency, safety and driver comfort. There are many variations of the details of the concept such as: the goals of platooning, how it is implemented, mix of vehicles, the requirements on infrastructure, what is automated (longitudinal and lateral control) and to what level. The following projects are presented: SARTRE a European platooning project; PATH a California traffic automation program that includes platooning; GCDC a cooperative driving initiative, and; Energy ITS a Japanese truck platooning project

Histoire politique de l’Europe

Jordi Canal, maître de conférencesVincent Duclert, professeur agrégé Identités politiques du sud et du sud-est européens Pour sa deuxième année, le séminaire a poursuivi l’étude des « Identités politiques du sud et du sud-est européens », avec une inflexion portée en direction des situations nationales, particulièrement de la péninsule ibérique (Jordi Canal), de la Roumanie et de la Turquie (Vincent Duclert), Le séminaire a accueilli deux professeurs invités, Avner Ben Amos (Université de Tel..

Designs of two randomized, community-based trials to assess the impact of influenza immunization during pregnancy on respiratory illness among pregnant women and their infants and reproductive outcomes in rural Nepal

Background: Among the most important causes of illness and death in both pregnant women and their newborn infants are respiratory infections including influenza. Pregnant women in North America have a 4 to 5 fold excess rate of hospitalization compared to non-pregnant women. Rates of infant hospitalization associated with influenza are much higher than in their mothers. Fully half of children hospitalized for influenza in the US are in the age group 0–5 months, a group where no vaccine is licensed. Data on influenza are much fewer in low income countries where the risks of serious morbidity and mortality are much higher. A recent trial in Bangladesh suggested that influenza immunization in pregnant women could have important protective effects against influenza in both mothers and their infants. These trials were designed to provide additional evidence about the effect of influenza vaccination in pregnancy in settings where influenza may circulate for up to ten months/year. Methods/Design: We conducted a consecutive pair of community-based, placebo-controlled, randomized trials of influenza vaccination of pregnant women in a rural district in southern Nepal. Two trials were conducted to insure, as much as possible, the match of circulating strains with those included in the vaccine. Eligible women included all who were or became pregnant over a one year period. Each trial included a one year cohort of pregnant women who were individually randomized to the influenza vaccine available at the time of their enrollment or placebo. Exclusions included a history of allergy to vaccine components, prior influenza vaccine receipt, and for the second trial, participation in the first trial. Morbidity was assessed on a weekly basis for women throughout pregnancy and through 180 days post-partum. Infants were followed weekly through 180 days. Primary outcomes included: 1) incidence of influenza like illness in women, 2) incidence of laboratory confirmed influenza illness in infants, and 3) birthweight among newborn infants. Discussion: We have presented the design and methods of two randomized trials of influenza immunization of pregnant women

Infant vaccination timing: Beyond traditional coverage metrics for maximizing impact of vaccine programs, an example from southern Nepal.

Background Immunization programs currently measure coverage by assessing the proportion of children 12–24 months who have been immunized but this does not address the important question of when the scheduled vaccines were administered. Data capturing the timing of vaccination in first 6 months, when severe disease is most likely to occur, are limited. Objective To estimate the time to Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) (recommended at birth), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis-H, influenza b-hepatitis B (DTP-Hib-HepB), and oral polio vaccine (OPV) (recommended at 6, 10, and 14 weeks) vaccinations and risk factors for vaccination delay in infants \u3c6 months of age in a district in southern Nepal where traditional coverage metrics are high. Design/methods Infants enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of maternal influenza vaccination were visited weekly at home from birth through age 6 months to ascertain if any vaccinations had been given in the prior week. Infant, maternal, and household characteristics were recorded. BCG, DTP-Hib-HepB, and OPV vaccination coverage at 4 and 6 months was estimated. Time to vaccination was estimated through Kaplan–Meier curves; Cox-proportional hazards models were used to examine risk factors for delay for the first vaccine. Results The median age of BCG, first OPV and DTP-Hib-HepB receipt was 22, 21, and 18 weeks, respectively. Almost half of infants received no BCG by age 6 months. Only 8% and 7% of infants had received three doses of OPV and DTP-Hib-HepB, respectively, by age 6 months. Conclusion A significant delay in receipt of infant vaccines was found in a prospective, population-based, cohort in southern Nepal despite traditional coverage metrics being high. Immunization programs should consider measuring time to receipt relative to the official schedule in order to maximize benefits for disease control and child health

Pertussis Seroepidemiology in Women and Their Infants in Sarlahi District, Nepal.

Background Infants are at greatest risk for pertussis morbidity and mortality. Maternal vaccination during pregnancy has been shown to prevent pertussis in young infants in high- and middle-income countries. However, data on the levels of maternal pertussis antibodies and the efficiency of transplacental transfer in low-income South Asian settings are limited. Objective To estimate the prevalence of maternal pertussis antibodies and the efficiency of transplacental transfer in rural southern Nepal. Design/methods Paired maternal-infant blood samples were collected from a subsample of participants in a randomized, controlled trial of maternal influenza immunization (n = 291 pairs). Sera were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for pertussis toxin, filamentous hemagglutinin, pertactin, and fimbriae. Maternal and infant pertussis antibody levels and transplacental transfer efficiency were determined and potential factors associated with both were assessed. Results Elevated maternal antibodies to pertussis toxin, suggesting recent pertussis infection, were rarely detected (4%, tested n = 305). However, paired maternal-cord sera were highly correlated across all antibodies; transplacental antibody transfer ratios for pertussis toxin were 1.14 (n = 291, 95% CI 1.07–1.20); filamentous hemagglutinin 1.10 (n = 120, 95% CI: 1.01–1.20); fimbriae 2/3 1.05 (n = 120, 95% CI: 0.96–1.15) and pertactin 0.96 (n = 289, 95% CI: 0.91–1.00). Older gestational age was associated with increased pertussis toxin and decreased fimbriae 2/3 antibody transport. Conclusions A low prevalence of maternal antibody to all four pertussis antigens was noted in Nepal, but transplacental antibody transfer was efficient. No consistent demographic factors were associated with elevated maternal antibody levels or efficiency of transplacental transfer. If an increase in infant pertussis disease burden was detected in this population, maternal immunization could be an effective intervention to prevent disease in early infancy

Population-Based Pertussis Incidence and Risk Factors in Infants Less Than 6 Months in Nepal.

Background. Pertussis is estimated to cause 2 percent of childhood deaths globally and is a growing public health problem in developed countries despite high vaccination coverage. Infants are at greatest risk of morbidity and mortality. Maternal vaccination during pregnancy may be effective to prevent pertussis in young infants, but population-based estimates of disease burden in infants are lacking, particularly in low-income countries. The objective of this study was to estimate the incidence of pertussis in infants less than 6 months of age in Sarlahi District, Nepal. Methods. Nested within a population-based randomized controlled trial of influenza vaccination during pregnancy, infants were visited weekly from birth through 6 months to assess respiratory illness in the prior week. If any respiratory symptoms had occurred, a nasal swab was collected and tested with a multitarget pertussis polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. The prospective cohort study includes infants observed between May 2011 and August 2014. Results. The incidence of PCR-confirmed Bordetella pertussis was 13.3 cases per 1000 infant-years (95% confidence interval, 7.7–21.3) in a cohort of 3483 infants with at least 1 day of follow-up. Conclusions. In a population-based active home surveillance for respiratory illness, a low risk for pertussis was estimated among infants in rural Nepal. Nepal’s immunization program, which includes a childhood whole cell pertussis vaccine, may be effective in controlling pertussis in infants

Dissecting Fc signatures of protection in neonates following maternal influenza vaccination in a placebo-controlled trial.

Influenza is an important cause of illness and morbidity for infants. Seasonal influenza vaccination during pregnancy aims to provide protection to mothers, but it can also provide immunity to infants. The precise influence of maternal vaccination on immunity in infants and how vaccine-elicited antibodies provide protection in some but not all infants is incompletely understood. We comprehensively profiled the transfer of functional antibodies and defined humoral factors contributing to immunity against influenza in a clinical trial of maternal influenza vaccination. Influenza-specific antibody subclass levels, Fc ɣ receptor (FCGR) binding levels, and antibody-dependent innate immune functions were all profiled in the mothers during pregnancy and at birth, as well as in cord blood. Vaccination increased influenza-specific antibody levels, antibody binding to FCGR, and specific antibody-dependent innate immune functions in both maternal and cord blood, with FCGR binding most enhanced via vaccination. Influenza-specific FCGR binding levels were lower in cord blood of infants who subsequently developed influenza infection. Collectively these data suggest that in addition to increased antibody amounts, the selective transfer of FCGR-binding antibodies contributes to the protective immune response in infants against influenza